GATE AG Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility, Important Dates

The paper

Where the 100 marks sit

GATE gives no split below that. Seventy-two marks over six sections averages twelve each, so no section carries the paper and none is small enough to drop.

Section 1's mathematics list is wider than most. It adds Laplace transforms, Euler's theorem on homogeneous functions, tests of convergence, and correlation and regression to the usual GATE set.

Question types and negative marking

MSQ has no partial credit: you need every correct option and no wrong one.

An on-screen virtual calculator is provided. Physical calculators are not allowed.

Two papers

A candidate may sit two papers, from a published list of allowed pairs. With AG as the primary paper the second may be CE only. That is the shortest list in the table apart from MN, which allows no second paper at all. Most papers offer three to ten.

It makes sense. AG's Section 4 already carries fluid mechanics, soil mechanics, hydrology and surveying, and Section 5 carries open-channel flow and groundwater; those are CE's Water Resources and Geotechnical sections, so adding CE builds on what you've already done.

Reproduced from the GATE 2027 AG syllabus published by IIT Madras.

General Aptitude (15 marks, common to all papers)

Verbal aptitude: basic English grammar, vocabulary, reading and comprehension, narrative sequencing. Quantitative aptitude: data interpretation, 2- and 3-dimensional plots, maps and tables; numerical computation and estimation (ratios, percentages, powers, exponents and logarithms, permutations and combinations, mensuration and geometry, elementary statistics and probability). Analytical aptitude: logic (deduction and induction), analogy, numerical relations and reasoning. Spatial aptitude: transformation of shapes (translation, rotation, scaling, mirroring, assembling and grouping); paper folding, cutting and patterns in 2 and 3 dimensions.

Section 1: Engineering Mathematics

Linear algebra: matrices and determinants; linear and orthogonal transformations; the Cayley-Hamilton theorem; eigenvalues and eigenvectors; solution of linear equations. Calculus: limit, continuity and differentiability; partial derivatives; homogeneous functions and Euler's theorem; total differentiation; maxima and minima of a function of several independent variables; sequences and series, infinite series and tests for convergence; Fourier, Taylor and Maclaurin series. Vector calculus: vector differentiation; scalar and vector point functions; del, gradient, divergence and curl and their physical interpretation; line, surface and volume integrals; the Stokes, Gauss and Green theorems. Differential equations: linear and non-linear first order ODEs; homogeneous differential equations; higher order linear ODEs with constant coefficients; Laplace transforms and their inverses; the Laplace, heat and wave partial differential equations. Probability and statistics: mean, median, mode and standard deviation; random variables; Poisson, normal and binomial distributions; correlation and regression analysis. Numerical methods: solution of linear and non-linear algebraic equations; trapezoidal and Simpson's rules; numerical solution of ODEs.

Section 2: Farm Machinery

Machine design: design and selection of gears, pulleys, chains, sprockets and belts; overload safety devices used in farm machinery; measurement of force, stress, torque, speed, displacement and acceleration on shafts, couplings, keys, bearings and knuckle joints. Farm machinery: soil tillage; forces acting on a tillage tool; hitch systems and hitching of tillage implements; functional requirements, principles of working, construction and operation of manual, animal, tractor and renewable-energy-operated equipment for tillage, sowing, planting, fertiliser application, inter-cultivation, spraying, mowing, chaff cutting, harvesting and threshing; performance parameters (field capacity, efficiency, performance index, application rate and losses); cost analysis of implements and tractors; equipment for precision agriculture.

Section 3: Farm Power

Sources of power: human, animal, mechanical, electrical, wind, solar and biomass; bio-fuels in farm mechanisation. Farm power: thermodynamic principles and cycles of internal combustion engines; engine components; fuels and combustion; lubricants and their properties; engine systems (fuel, cooling, lubrication, ignition, electrical, intake and exhaust); selection, operation, maintenance and repair; power efficiencies and their measurement; engine performance curves; calculation of power, torque, fuel consumption, heat load and power losses. Tractors and power tillers: type, selection, maintenance and repair; clutches and brakes; power transmission (gear trains, differential, final drives and power take-off); mechanics of the tractor chassis; traction theory; three-point hitches, free-link and restrained-link operation; steering and hydraulic control systems; tractor tests and performance; human engineering and safety in the design of tractors and implements.

Section 4: Soil and Water Conservation Engineering

Fluid mechanics: ideal and real fluids and their properties; hydrostatic pressure and its measurement; continuity equation; kinematics and dynamics of flow; Bernoulli's theorem; laminar and turbulent pipe flow; the Darcy-Weisbach and Hazen-Williams equations; flow through orifices, weirs and notches; open channel flow; dimensional analysis and geometric dimensionless numbers. Soil mechanics: engineering properties of soils; index properties; permeability and seepage analysis; shear strength; soil compaction and the Proctor test; Mohr's circle of stress; active and passive earth pressure; stability of slopes; Terzaghi's one-dimensional consolidation theory. Hydrology: the hydrological cycle and measurement of its components; meteorological parameters and their measurement; analysis of precipitation data; runoff estimation; hydrograph analysis and unit hydrograph theory; stream flow measurement; flood routing, reservoir and channel routing; infiltration indices and equations; drought and its classification. Surveying and levelling: measurement of distance and area; instruments; chain surveying; methods of traversing; measurement of angles and bearings; plane table surveying; types of levelling; theodolite traversing; contouring; total station; introduction to GPS survey; computation of areas and volumes. Soil and water erosion: mechanics of wind and water erosion; erosion types and the factors affecting them; soil loss estimation; biological and engineering control measures; terraces and bunds; vegetative waterways; gully control structures (drop, drop inlet and chute spillways); earthen dams. Watershed management: watershed characterisation and land use capability classification; water budgeting; rainwater harvesting; check dams and farm ponds.

Section 5: Irrigation and Drainage Engineering

Soil-water-plant relationship: water requirement of crops; consumptive use and evapotranspiration; measurement of infiltration, soil moisture and irrigation water infiltration. Conveyance and application: design of irrigation channels and underground pipelines; irrigation scheduling; surface, sprinkler and micro irrigation; design and evaluation of irrigation methods; irrigation efficiencies. Agricultural drainage: drainage coefficient; planning, design and layout of surface and sub-surface drainage; leaching requirement and salinity control; irrigation and drainage water quality and reuse; non-conventional drainage systems. Groundwater hydrology: groundwater occurrence and movement; Darcy's law; steady and unsteady flow in confined and unconfined aquifers; groundwater exploration; recharge estimation and artificial recharge. Wells and pumps: types of wells; steady flow through wells; design and construction of water wells; classification of pumps; pump characteristics; pump selection and installation.

Section 6: Agricultural Process Engineering

Engineering properties of agricultural produce: physical, thermal, frictional, rheological and electrical. Evaporation and drying: concentration and drying of liquid foods (evaporators, tray, drum and spray dryers); osmotic dehydration and freeze drying; hydrothermal treatments; drying and milling of cereals, pulses and oilseeds; drying kinetics; psychrometry and the properties of air-water vapour mixtures. Size reduction and material handling: mechanics and energy requirement of size reduction; particle size analysis of comminuted solids; size separation by screening; fluidisation of granular solids; pneumatic, bucket, screw and belt conveying; cleaning and grading; effectiveness of separation; centrifugal separation of solids, liquids and gases; homogenisation; filtration and membrane separation. Processing of agricultural produce: seeds, spices, fruits and vegetables; value addition. Storage systems: controlled and modified atmosphere storage; perishable food storage; godowns, bins and grain silos; packaging material and machines.

Section 7: Dairy and Food Engineering

Heat and mass transfer: steady state conduction, convection and radiation; transient heat transfer in simple geometry; working principles of heat exchangers; diffusive and convective mass transfer; simultaneous heat and mass transfer in agricultural processing operations; material and energy balances in food processing systems; water activity; sorption and desorption isotherms. Unit operations: blanching, homogenisation, pasteurisation, sterilisation. Preservation of food: kinetics of microbial death; pasteurisation and sterilisation of milk and other liquid foods; preservation by cooling and freezing; refrigeration and cold storage.

Qualification

Either currently studying in the 3rd or higher year of any undergraduate degree programme, or already holding a government-approved degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts or Humanities.

Qualifying degrees include B.E., B.Tech., B.Pharm., B.Arch., three-year B.Sc./B.A./B.Com., M.Sc./M.A./MCA and equivalents, professional degrees such as MBBS, BDS and B.V.Sc., and professional society examinations recognised as equivalent to B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch. A candidate with an international degree must be in the 3rd year or higher, or hold a bachelor's degree of at least three years' duration.

What is not required

• No age limit.
• No limit on the number of attempts.
• No requirement that your degree match the paper you sit.

Age, past attempts and branch don't shut anyone out, which sets GATE apart from most exams it's listed beside.

Fee, per test paper

Sitting two papers doubles it: Rs 2,000 / Rs 4,000 in the regular window, Rs 2,500 / Rs 4,500 in the extended one.

Every female candidate pays the concessional fee, whatever her category. PwBD here means Person with Benchmark Disability.

The portal

Applications go through GOAPS, the GATE Online Application Processing System, reached from the organising institute's site. GATE 2027 adds live facial verification and DigiLocker integration to registration.

A paid rectification window after the closing date lets you correct what you've submitted. You can't register in it.

Admission

The score is used for M.Tech, M.E., M.S. and direct PhD admission at the IITs, IISc, NITs, IIITs and many central and state institutions, and for MoE assistantships. The IITs and IISc admit through COAP, which lets you hold one offer at a time; NITs and IIITs through CCMT. Both need separate registration. A GATE score alone admits nobody.

Agricultural engineering also has its own route: the state agricultural universities and ICAR institutions admit mostly through ICAR's own exam, on different deadlines. A GATE AG candidate is usually weighing IIT Kharagpur's Agricultural and Food Engineering department, the NITs that teach the subject, and that ICAR route.

Recruitment

Public sector recruiters that use an agricultural engineering GATE score include the Food Corporation of India, NABARD, the Central Warehousing Corporation, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute and state agriculture and irrigation departments. State Junior Engineer (Agriculture) posts use their own written exams instead. Each recruiter advertises separately with its own eligibility, shortlisting ratio and interview. The list changes every year, so check current advertisements.

GATE is held in cities across India and a few abroad. You list preferred cities in the application. The allotted city is announced on 4 January 2027, before the admit card, so you can plan travel early. Preferences are followed where capacity allows but aren't guaranteed, and the centre address is on the admit card.

GATE 2027, organised by IIT Madras.

The opening date moved twice: first 14 August 2026, then 27 August, then 2 September. IIT Madras says all dates are liable to change, so check its dates page.

There are six exam days this time against four in GATE 2026, because of 30 papers and the new Robotics and Automation paper.

Download the admit card from GOAPS with your enrolment ID or email and password. Your exam city comes first, on 4 January 2027; the admit card with the centre address follows, on a date IIT Madras hasn't fixed yet.

Bring it with the original photo ID whose details you entered in the application. A different ID or a photocopy won't be accepted.

You get marks out of 100 and a GATE Score out of 1000. The score is normalised against the qualifying mark and the top scorers, and it's the number institutes and employers compare. Multi-session papers are normalised across sessions.

The response sheet and provisional answer key come out before the result, with a paid challenge window. The subject committee decides challenges, so the final key can differ. Results for GATE 2027 are due on 19 March 2027, and a score stays valid for three years.

GATE sets a qualifying mark for each paper and category every year, from that year's results. Clear it and you're GATE qualified with a scorecard. It changes each year, so older figures are only a guide.

Qualifying isn't admission. An IIT M.Tech seat or a PSU interview call in Agricultural Engineering needs a score well above it, and PSUs state their own GATE Score cut-offs in their own advertisements.

Cover all six sections

The 72 subject marks are spread over six sections with no published weighting. Know Farm Power inside out and skip Irrigation, and you're capped at roughly sixty marks.

Section 4 pays twice

Fluid mechanics, soil mechanics, hydrology and surveying in Soil and Water Conservation underpin Section 5's channels, aquifers and pumps. Do Section 4 properly and Section 5 is mostly application. It also carries over if you add CE.

Study Sections 6 and 7 together

Process Engineering and Dairy and Food Engineering are both drying, heat and mass transfer and unit operations. Psychrometry, sorption isotherms and the drying curve appear in both.

Twenty-eight marks aren't agricultural engineering

General Aptitude is 15 and Engineering Mathematics 13. AG's maths list is wider than most GATE papers (Laplace transforms, convergence tests, correlation and regression), so read the syllabus instead of assuming the usual set.

Answer every NAT and MSQ

Neither has a penalty, so a blank is a certain zero.

Practise on real papers

Sit recent AG papers in three hours, with only a basic calculator, the way the virtual one works. Where to get them is under sample papers.

GATE publishes every paper. The GATE 2027 download page has all question papers from 2007 to 2026 in bulk, and year-wise papers with answer keys for 2021 to 2026, including Agricultural Engineering.

GATE 2027 (IIT Madras): gate2027.iitm.ac.in

The AG syllabus, official PDF: AG_GATE2027_Syllabus.pdf

All papers and syllabi: Test papers and syllabus

Question paper pattern and marking scheme: Question paper pattern

Two-paper combinations: Allowed pairs

Eligibility: Eligibility criteria

Fees: Application fees

Previous papers and answer keys, 2007 to 2026: Downloads

Dates: Important dates

Can I sit GATE AG without an agricultural engineering degree?

Yes. GATE places no requirement that your degree match the paper. Anyone in the third year or higher of any undergraduate degree, or holding a government-approved degree, may sit any of the 30 papers. The AG syllabus does assume an undergraduate grounding across machinery, power, soil and water, and processing.

Which papers can I pair with AG?

CE only. It's the shortest list of any paper that allows a pairing; MN allows none. The pairing is symmetric, so a CE candidate may add AG. GATE 2027 says it may open further combinations later and will announce them on its own site.

How are the 100 marks divided across the seven sections?

GATE publishes General Aptitude at 15 and Engineering Mathematics at 13, leaving 72 marks for Sections 2 to 7. There's no official split within those 72, so treat them as roughly equal.

Is GATE AG the route into ICAR institutions?

Usually not. The state agricultural universities and the ICAR institutions admit largely through ICAR's own examination, on its own schedule. GATE AG is the route into the IIT, NIT and IIIT postgraduate programmes and into the recruiters that shortlist on a GATE score.

Is there negative marking in GATE AG?

Only on multiple choice questions: 1/3 of a mark for a wrong 1-mark MCQ and 2/3 for a wrong 2-mark MCQ. Multiple select and numerical answer type questions carry no penalty.